Figure toy



May 21, 1963 LQHR FIGURE TOY Filed Oct. 18, 1961 x l mz m0 W M w R BY MMHITOIP/VKYS Patented May 23, 1953 3,090,157 FIGURE TOY Raymond J. Lohr,Erie, Pa., assignor to Louis Marx & gompany, Inc, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New ork Filed Oct. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 147,421 16 Claims.(Cl. 46-157) This invention relates to figure toys, and moreparticularly to a figure toy with frictional joints for easy assembly indifferent postures.

Figure toys are already known in which the body, limbs, and head aremade of flat carboard, which parts may be assembled or disassembled. Thegeneral object of the present invention is to improve such come-apartfigure toys. A more particular object is to make the same with partswhich are three-dimensional. For example, the legs are made with feet oflarge area and substantially flat bottoms, such that the figure canstand erect on two feet.

Another object is to make the parts out of a molded plastics material,thus giving the same an attractive finish and appearance, and makingpossible the use of different colors. A further object is to use asomewhat flexible and frictional plastic, such as polyethylene, in whichcase simple projecting pins are received in holes to provide jointswhich are frictional so that the parts hold together, and remain in anydesired adjusted position. Moreover, the parts are somewhat flexible andtherefore virtually indestructible.

Other objects are to make the position of the head (as well as thelimbs) adjustable, and in the case of animal toys, to make the tailand/or the ears adjustable.

In accordance with a further feature and object of the invention, thelimbs may be used to help hold the head on the body, and to help concealits jointed connection; the limbs may be used to help hold the tail onthe body; and the body itself may be made of two differently coloreddetachable parts which fit together in edge-to-edge relation with theaid of tongues and sockets. A further object is to provide an auxiliarybase making possible grotesque or acrobatic postures, and alsopermitting wall mounting.

To accomplish the foregoing objects, and other objects which willhereinafter appear, my invention resides in the figure toy elements andtheir relation one to another as are hereinafter more particularlydescribed in the following specification. The specification isaccompanied by a drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a figure toy embodying features ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken approximatelyin the plane of the stepped line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately in theplane of the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation showing the three-dimensional large areafeet of the toy;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another toy embodying features ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken approximately in the plane of theline 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical elevation showing how the toy may be mounted on anupright surface or wall.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, thecome-apart figure toy comprises a body 12, a head 14, and limbs 16, 18,20 and 22, all separately molded out of a somewhat soft frictionalplastics material. The body has pins 24 and 26 molded integrallytherewith and projecting horizontally therefrom, and the limbs haveholes dimensioned to fit frictionally over the pins. Referring to FIG.4, the pins 26 are molded integrally with body 12, and the limbs 20 and22 are simply slid over the pins, the latter having rounded ends forimproved appearance.

When using a somewhat flexible plastics material, such as polyethylene,it is a simple matter to enlarge the ends of the pins slightly, becausethe molded parts are removable from the mold, despite a slight undercut.For the same reason of yieldability the holes in the limbs may expandsomewhat as the limbs are pushed over the pins, and thus they are heldon the body by a slight degree of snap fit, instead of relyingaltogether on friction, although even that is considerable and willserve the present purpose.

In FIG. 4 it should be noted that the feet 28 are quite Wide intransverse direction. The feet are enlarged and preferably havesubstantially fiat bottoms, such that the figure can stand erect on twofeet alone, this being indicated in FIG. 4, in which feet 28 are restingon a table or like surface 30.

The head 14 (FIG. 1) has a neck 32 which is offset sideways about halfthe thickness of the body, as is indicated at 34 in FIG. 2.. The neckterminates in a nearly circular portion 36 having a hole at 38. Theconstruction is much like that exposed in FIG. 5 where one limb 82 of ananimal toy has been removed to expose the lower end of the neck 96.Reverting to FIGS. 2 and 3, the body is thinned toward one side, asshown at 40, to about half thickness, and has a short pin 44 on one sideto receive limb 16, and it has a longer pin 24 on the other side toreceive both the circular neck portion 36 and the limb 18.

The curved area which receives the rounded or circular lower end 36 ofthe neck is preferably defined by a marginal portion or rim 46, and thismay be thick enough to provide some clearance for movement of the neck,independently of the limb, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Themolded material of the body may also be built up to greater thickness onthe opposite side, as shown at 48, to provide a washer-like bearingsurface against which the limb 16 rotates. In FIG. 1 it will be seenthat the upper ends 5% of the rim shown at 4 6 in FIG. 2, are divergentupwardly and provide stop means to limit the angular motion oradjustment of the head 14.

The particular toy shown in FIG. 1 represents the Donald Duck characterof Walt Disney. To better represent a sailors uniform the upper part 52of the body may be blue, and the lower part 54 may be white, in whichcase it is convenient to mold the body in two separate parts which maybe detachably connected in edge-to-edge relation. In the present casethe upper part 52 has depending tongues 56 which are enlarged at theirlower ends. The body part as has mating open-sided sockets whichrereceive the tongues 56, preferably by moving one part of the bodysideward into the other until they are in flush relation. The plasticsmaterial is frictional enough for the parts to remain in assembledrelation. However, for a more rugged construction the body may be madein one piece. This frictional nature of the material makes it possibleto turn the head and limbs to any desired position or angle, and theparts remain in adjusted position.

It is desirable to increase the stability of the toy when setting theparts in grotesque or acrobatic positions, as for example, leaning backhorizontally on one leg, or other such comical positions. For thispurpose I provide a base 69 of relatively large area. This is moldedintegrally with an upstanding pin 62. The feet 28 are molded withupright holes 64-, indicated in FIG. 4 as well as FIG. 1. Either hole 64receives the pin 62 with a frictional fit, and the figure then may beturned to almost any desired position without falling over.

Moreover, the base 60' may, if desired, be provided with a hole 66(FIG. 1) near its periphery. This may be used to receive a thumb tack ornail by means of which the base may be applied to a wall or otherupright surface. The figure is readily applied to the base by means ofthe pin 62 and either hole 64, in which case the figure may be hung onand project from the wall. This is illustrated in FIG. 7 which showsbase 6% applied to wall 63 by means of a suitable fastener 7t). It isevident that the figure may be given one or another position producing acomical effect, as though falling.

Another toy embodying features of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.and 6 of the drawing. In this case the figure represents Pluto, a dogcharacter of Walt Disney, and again it comprises a body '72 withforelegs 74 received on pins 76, and hind legs 78 received on pins 80.Again the limbs 74 and 78 are preferably enlarged in transversedirections at the feet 82-, and have substantially flat bottoms, so thatthe figure readily stands without the aid of an auxiliary base. However,here again at least some, and preferably all of the feet 82, areprovided with upright holes indicated at 84 to frictionally receive thepin 62 of the base 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. In this way the dog may bemade to stand on one leg in any one of many comical postures. Also, thefigure may be made to project from a wall, as though falling, by simplyhanging the base on a wall, as previously described in connection withFIG. 7.

The animal toy shows several additional features. One is the provisionof a tail 86 which is pivoted in rather simple fashion for adjustment.For this purpose the inner end of the tail is given a nearly circularconfiguration, shown at 88, and this is received in a mating socket cutthrough the body 72. The socket is open-sided, and the tail is assembledby simply pushing it sideways into position. It is there held againstescape because the upper ends of the hind legs 78 overlap the tailportion 83, as shown in 'FIGS. 5 and 6, and thus the legs hold the tailagainst sideward movement out of the socket. The circular inner end ofthe tail is preferably thickened somewhat, as shown in FIG. 6, toprovide the equivalent of bearing washers at 8 8.

The anirnal toy of FIG. 5 also has movable ears W. These have holes attheir inner ends, and the head 92 has pins 94 molded integrally with thehead. These pins receive the ears, and the joint is frictional, aspreviously described, so that the ears remain at any desired angle. Thusin FIG. 5 one ear points forward, and the other rearward.

As was described in connection with FIG. 1, the head 92 is preferablyformed integral with a neck 96, and this may be sidewardly offsetsomewhat, say, half the thickness of the body 72. The body is thinnedtoward one side to about half thickness, as shown at 98, therebyproviding a socket for the lower end of neck 96. This is preferablyenlarged and made circular in shape, as shown at 1%. The part 100 has ahole to receive the pin 76, and the body is preferably molded with anarcuate thickened portion or rim 102 to complete the nesting or housingof the circular part 109.

It will be understood that, as before, the pin on the remote side, asviewed in the drawing, is a short pin which receives the remote foreleg74 (corresponding to the parts 44 and 16 in FIG. 3), and the pin 76,shown in FIG. 5, is a longer pin which first receives the neck and thenreceives the nearer foreleg 74'. In FIG. 5 the latter is shown separatedfrom pin 76, but when pushed in position it conceals the lower end ofthe neck, and also conceals the arcuate rim 102, much as the upper endof arm 18 in FIG. 1 conceals the neck construction there used. Theopposite side of body 72 may have a circular slightly thickened areaaround the short pin, to act as a bearing surface for leg 74.

In all casesthe pins 76, 8t} and 94 may, if desired, be slightlyundercut, that is, slightly tapered from their outer ends toward theirinner ends, thereby more securely holding the limbs and ears. andreceiving the same with a slight degree of snap fit. The holes arepreferably tapered to facilitate molding, and the taper may be made suchas to better fit the pins, or may be made opposite to facilitate theassembly operation.

It will be understood that additional figures may be made, for example,the Disney Mickey Mouse and Bambi, etc. The pins which receive the limbsmay be of uniform dimension, and the inner end of the neck and tail, aswell as the holes in the feet, all may be of uniform dimension, so thatmany of the parts may be interchangeable. In this way a child with anassortment of these figures may produce highly comical effects byinterchanging the different parts, so as to use the head of one with thebody of another, and so forth.

It has been mentioned that the parts are preferably molded of ayieldable material such as polyethylene, which has the advantage ofbeing somewhat soft and relatively unbreakable, and which providesfriction and a tight fit at the joints, etc. However, other plastics maybe used, an example being high-impact polystyrene.

To increase stability it is preferred to use the base shown, but a softrubber suction cup may be used instead of a simple large area base.Also, a small magnet may be embedded in one or more of the feet, so thatthe toy will adhere to a ferrous surface.

It is believed that the construction and method of use, as well as theadvantages of my improved come-apart figure toy, will be apparent fromthe foregoing detailed description. It will also be apparent that whileI have shown and described the invention in several preferred forms,changes may be made in the structures shown without departing from thescope of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional plastic material,said body having pins molded integrally therewith and projectingtherefrom, said limbs having holes dimensioned to fit frictionally oversaid pins, the head having a neck which terminates in a portion with ahole, said body having a short pin to receive a limb on one side and along pin to receive the neck and a limb at the other side.

2. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional plastic material,said body having pins molded integrally therewith and projectingtherefrom, said limbs having holes dimensioned to fit frictionally oversaid pins, at least two limbs simulating legs and having enlarged feetwith substantially flat bottoms such that the figure can stand erect onsaid feet, the head having a neck which terminates in a portion with ahole, said body having a short pin to receive a limb on one side and alonger pin to receive the neck and a limb at the other side.

3. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional plastic material,said body having pins molded integrally therewith and projectingtherefrom, said limbs having holes dimensioned to fit frictionally oversaid pins, at least two limbs simulating legs and having enlarged feetwith substantially flat bottoms such that the figure can stand erect onsaid feet, a base of large area having an upright pin, said feet havingan upright hole dimensioned to receive said pin with a frictional fit,whereby the figure with the aid of the base is stable in acrobaticpostures, the head having a neck which terminates in a portion with ahole, said body having a short pin to receive a limb on one side and alonger pin to receive the neck and a limb at the other side.

4. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional polyethyleneplastic, said body having pins molded integrally therewith andprojecting horizontally therefrom, said limbs having holes dimensionedto fit frictionally over said pins, at least two limbs simulating legsand having enlarged feet with large area substantially flat bottoms suchthat the figure can stand erect on said feet, the head having a neckwhich is offset sideways about half the thickness of the body and whichterminates in a portion with a hole, said body being thinned toward oneside to about half thickness and having a short pin to receive a limb onthat side and a longer pin to receive the neck and a limb at the otherside.

5. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional polyethyleneplastic, said body having pins molded integrally therewith andprojecting horizontally therefrom, said limbs having holes dimensionedto fit frictionally over said pins, at least two limbs simulating legsand having enlarged feet with large area substantially flat bottoms suchthat the figure can stand erect on said feet, a base of large areahaving an upright pin, said feet having an upright hole dimensioned toreceive said pin with a frictional fit, whereby the figure with the aidof the base is stable in acrobatic postures, the head having a neckwhich is offset sideways about half the thickness of the body and whichterminates in a portion with a hole, said body being thinned toward oneside to about half thickness and having a short pin to receive a limb onthat side and a longer pin to receive the neck and a limb at the otherside.

6. A figure toy as defined in claim 1 in which the toy has ears withholes and in which the head has pins which fn'ctionally receive theear-s.

7. A figure toy as defined in claim 2 in which the toy has ears withholes and in which the head has pins which frictionally receive theears.

8. A figure toy as defined in claim 1 in which the toy has a tail with anearly circular inner end, and in which the body has a mating socket toreceive the inner end of the tail, and in which the limbs of the toyoverlap the inner end of the tail to hold it against sideward movementout of the socket.

9. A figure toy as defined in claim 2 in which the toy has a tail with anearly circular inner end, and in which the body has a mating socket toreceive the inner end of the tail, and in which the limbs of the toyoverlap the inner end of the tail to hold it against sideward movementout of the socket.

10. A figure toy as defined in claim 1 in which the body is made up oftwo parts which fit together in edge to edge relation, one of said partshaving tongues with enlarged ends, and the other of said parts havingsockets mating with said tongues.

11. A figure toy as defined in claim 2 in which the body is made up oftwo parts which fit together in edge to edge relation, one of said partshaving tongues with enlarged ends, and the other of said parts havingsockets mating with said tongues.

12. A figure toy as defined in claim 3 in which the large area base hasa hole to receive a thumb tack or nail whereby the figure may be hung onand seemingly project from an upright surface.

13. A figure toy as defined in claim 5 in which the large area base hasa hole to receive a thumb tack or nail whereby the figure may be hung onand seemingly project from an upright surface.

14. A come-apart figure toy comprising a body and head and limbs, allseparately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional plastic material,said body having pins molded integrally therewith and projectinghorizontally therefrom, said limbs having holes dimensioned to fitfrictionally over said pins, the head having a neck which is offsetsideways about half the thickness of the body and which terminates in aportion with a hole, said body being thinned toward one side to abouthalf thickness and having a short pin to receive a limb on that side andaonger pin to receive the neck and a limb at the other s1 e.

15. A come-apart figure toy comprising a thin fiat body and head andlimbs, all separately molded out of a somewhat soft frictional plasticmaterial, said body having pins molded integrally therewith andprojecting horizontally sideward therefrom, and said limbs having holesdimensioned to fit frictionally over said pins, at least two limbssimulating legs and having enlarged feet with substantially fiat bottomsof substantial area such that the figure can stand erect on said feet, atail with a nearly circular inner end, said body having a mating socketwhich is open at the sides and toward the rear to receive the aforesaidinner end of the tail, the limbs of the toy at the sides of the bodyoverlapping the inner end of the tail to hold it against sidewardmovement out of the socket.

16. A come-apart figure toy comprising a thin flat body and head andlimbs, all separately molded out of a some what soft friction-a1 plasticmaterial, said body having pins molded integrally therewith andprojecting horizontally sideward therefrom, and said limbs having holesdimensioned to fit frictionally over said pins, at least two limbssimulating legs and having enlarged feet with substantially flat bottomsof substantial area such that the figure can stand erect on said feet,said fiat body being made of two flat parts which fit together in edgeto edge relation, one of said parts having tongues with enlarged ends,and the other of said parts having sockets mating with said tongues,said sockets being open at the sides.

References ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 246,867Cooke Sept. 13, 1881 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,404 France Mar. 5, 1921 35,744Holland June 15, 1935 413,955 Italy Aug. 18, 1946

1. A COME-APART FIGURE TOY COMPRISING A BODY AND HEAD AND LIMBS, ALLSEPARATELY MOLDED OUT OF A SOMEWHAT SOFT FRICTIONAL PLASTIC MATERIAL,SAID BODY HAVING PINS MOLDED INTERGRALLY THEREWITH AND PROJECTINGTHEREFROM, SAID LIMBS HAVING HOLES DIMENSIONED TO FIT FRICTIONALLY OVERSAID PINS, THE HEAD HAVING A NECK WHICH TERMINATES IN A PORTION WITH AHOLE, SAID BODY HAVING A SHORT PIN TO RECEIVE A LIMB ON ONE SIDE AND ALONG PIN TO RECEIVE THE NECK AND A LIMB AT THE OTHER SIDE.